US8226833B1ActiveUtility

Multi-level filter device

44
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Apr 25, 2007Filed: Mar 22, 2010Granted: Jul 24, 2012
Est. expiryApr 25, 2027(~0.8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Theophilus B. Terry, Iii
Y02A20/208C02F 3/288B01D 35/0276E03F 11/00
44
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
24
References
30
Claims

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for filtering fluid, preferably effluent fluid in a septic system, by providing a staged, filtering array in an effluent flow path, the stages positioned in an orientation designed to maximize filtering capability in conjunction with predetermined apertures.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1. A method for filtering effluent comprising:
 providing a filtering assembly, said assembly including a plurality of substantially planar components spaced apart by two or more partitions, said two or more partitions creating a series of apertures of varying dimension which progressively decrease in the direction of the effluent flow; 
 said two or more partitions spaced apart from each other along the direction of effluent flow; 
 providing a housing dimensioned to receive said filtering assembly, said housing including an inlet and an outlet; 
 providing the effluent flow to said assembly in said housing; and 
 directing effluent flow through said assembly such that only the effluent having predetermined characteristics moves past said two or more partitions and adjacent said planar components. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein solid or semisolid material is present in the effluent. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the solid material or semisolid material of a predetermined dimension is retained in said filtering assembly, and solid material, semisolid material having a dimension less than said predetermined dimension, and liquid effluent is allowed to pass through said filtering assembly. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein said planar components are positioned substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the retained solid or semisolid material is allowed to return to a septic tank. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said planar components are in a substantially horizontal position. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said partitions are positioned relative to said planar components to create a plurality of apertures at an interface of said partition and at least one planar component. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said partitions further include one or more additional integral aperture. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first partition, when in position with said planar component provides apertures having a first dimension, and said second partition when in position with said planar component provides apertures having a second dimension, such that said first and second aperture dimensions are not equal. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein multiple partitions are oriented relative to said planar component to create a series of apertures of varying dimension such that said aperture dimensions progressively decrease in the direction of an effluent flow. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a signaling device having a sensor, said sensor located on a downstream side of said first partition relative to an effluent flow, said signaling device being in communication with a signaling means. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein said signaling means is an alarm. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for filtering effluent comprising:
 a filtering assembly, said assembly including a plurality of substantially planar components spaced apart by two or more partitions; 
 said two or more partitions spaced apart from each other along the direction of effluent flow; and 
 said two or more partitions oriented to create a series of apertures of varying dimension such that said aperture dimensions progressively decrease in the direction of the effluent flow. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said plurality of planar components are substantially horizontal. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said partitions contain integral apertures therein. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said integral apertures of said at least one partitions is different in shape than said apertures of another of said partitions. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus for filtering effluent comprising:
 a filtering assembly, said assembly including a first and second substantially planar component, said first and second planar components spaced apart by at least a first and second partition, said first and second partition are spaced apart along the direction of an effluent flow, said partitions each including at least one aperture, said aperture bounded partially by a surface of said first or second planar components; 
 a housing dimensioned to receive said filtering assembly, said housing including an inlet and an outlet; and 
 wherein said first partition, when in position with said first or second planar component provides apertures having a first dimension, and said second partition when in the first or second position with a planar component provides apertures having a second dimension, such that said first and second aperture dimensions are not equal. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein multiple partitions are oriented relative to a planar component to create a series of apertures of varying dimension such that said aperture dimensions progressively decrease in the direction of an effluent flow. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one said planar component positioned substantially horizontal. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said planar components are positioned substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein a series of filter assemblies are maintained in said housing in a stacked orientation. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said partitions are positioned relative to said planar components to create a plurality of apertures at an interface of said partition and at least one planar component. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said partitions further include an additional integral aperture. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said partitions have a varying dimension relative to each other. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 17 , further including a signaling device having a sensor, said sensor located on a downstream side of said first partition relative to an effluent flow, said signaling device being in communication with a signaling means. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein said signaling means is an alarm. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 17 , further including at least one barrier provided in said housing separating a first chamber from a second chamber. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 17 , in combination with a septic tank. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 17 , in communication with a drain field. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said drain field is a septic drain field.

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